Here is the OML and Perry Removals story...

After the 2nd world war James Perry, otherwise known as Jim, returned from Burma as a qualified engineer to set up home in the Essex area with his new wife May. After a number of jobs on farms as a mechanic handyman, he bought some derelict cottages in Broxted near to Dunmow and an old second hand van. With this first van Jim ran a mobile fruit and vegetable round in the evenings and at weekends, whilst still working as an engineer during the day. In between he did local deliveries - Perry Removals was born!

From this humble beginning, Jim gradually built up his haulage business, which in those days meant anything that would fit on the lorry was part of the trade! Between 1950 and 1970 a constant flow of new regulations from various governments meant that Jim had to change direction a few times to comply with the ever-changing legislation (nothing new there then!). By 1972 Jim was looking towards retirement and shortly after the business passed on to two of his sons David and Robert, more commonly known as Bob, backed by elder sister Sheila. By 1979 they had ceased all haulage operations to concentrate on the ever-increasing removal and storage trade. The sale of the big haulage lorries helped to fund a massive investment in new lorries and warehouses specially designed and built for furniture handling.

Perry Removals went from strength to strength and in 1994 the opportunity arose to acquire the experience of the long established company Direct Removals of Bishops Stortford. With the strong reputation of Perry Removals and the added strength of Direct Removals, two excellent teams became one under the new name of Perry Direct. Despite the recession of the early 90’s Perry Direct continued to be a by-word for quality removals.

In 2002 brother David decided to retire from removals and Bob became Chairman with his sister Sheila as a new Director. At about the same time Nick Martin joined the company with a wealth of experience in the field of corporate removals and swiftly became manager. In the last decade The Perry Group have acquired many companies including Chapman's Removal Company, Movers of Cambridge Ltd. and Overseas Moving Ltd. based around East Anglia.

In 2004 Bob’s daughter Emma joined the company having recently graduated from Loughborough university with a First Class Dual Honours degree in Sports Science and Management. She became Office Manager of the newly acquired Sudbury office previously operated as Chapman’s Removal Company, and both branches have since reverted to Perry Removals Ltd. She then became the Managing Director of Overseas Moving Ltd. to build on our presence in the International Removals industry. The third generation of Perry’s has been further strengthened by the joining of Bob’s son Jamie who after graduating in Business Management at Sheffield became Online Warehousing Manager for commercial goods, running the company's new advanced online storage company Perry Online Ltd. designed specifically for the modern era. Another string in the Perry Groups bow is the recently created Perry Data Shred offering a secure, confidential shredding service with individual collection or regular collections available.

Perry’s see the loyalty and expertise of the staff within all these companies as the main strength to add to the group, giving in 2008 a total of 20 removal vans, 5 pre-pack vans and over 50 staff members. However, the same traditions of a family concern still prevail to maintain a quality removal service throughout East Anglia, London, the UK, Europe plus a network of agents throughout the World, all dedicated to providing the very best in relocation services.

In the 2 years leading up to 2011 there have been some reductions in the number of vehicles and staff but this has only served to strengthen the quality of resources available. Emma has now left after fully establishing Overseas-Moving as one of the top and most recognised names in the international removals industry but since then we have introduced some exciting young new prospects to fill her shoes and others hopefully to take the company even further.

Although Perry Removals is still a family business we have a workforce with an enviable history of long and loyal service including Pat, Phil and Tony, who is now our operations manager, with over 20 years each. Doug, Lee, Lyn, Mick, Pete, and Mike all with no less than 7-12 years each. At our Overseas Moving branch Mick alone contributes 20 years of experience. This means that 2011 sees over 200 years service within our company, accompanied with constant additions to the team and add to this a constant program of training and promotion and -
the Perry workforce is complete!